chiita

Chiita is a rural locality (selo) situated in Buzuluksky District of Orenburg Oblast, Russia. It lies on the left bank of the Ural River, approximately 120 kilometers southeast of the oblast’s administrative centre, Orenburg, and about 35 kilometers west of the district centre, Buzuluk. The settlement is part of the Chiitinskoye Rural Settlement, a municipal formation that includes several nearby villages.

According to the 2010 Russian census, Chiita had a population of 1,235 residents, though earlier estimates place the number closer to 1,300. The community is predominantly engaged in agriculture, with the most common crops being rye, barley, and sunflower. A small animal husbandry sector also contributes to the local economy, focusing mainly on cattle and poultry.

The history of Chiita dates back to the early 19th century when it was founded as a modest farming hamlet. Over the years, the settlement expanded modestly, particularly during the Soviet period, when collective farming structures were established. In the post‑Soviet era, like many rural localities in the region, Chiita has faced challenges related to population decline and economic transition.

Infrastructure in Chiita includes a primary school, a community medical clinic, and a local administration office. The area is served by a regional road that connects it to Buzuluk and further to larger urban centres. Although modest in size, Chiita serves as a representative example of the many small agricultural communities that populate the Orenburg steppe.